“Say Hello to Joey Votto”

Currently on the year Votto has 18 HRs, 55 RBIs, and a .313 batting average. All among the best in the National League. To be exact, he is tied for 1st in homeruns, tied for 3rd in batting average with teammate Brandon Phillips, and tied for 5th in RBIs with Ryan Howard (these are all NL ranks). This is just Joey’s 4th year of Major League action and 3rd full year with the team. The guy just flat-out puts up numbers. He looks like a seasoned veteran and a perennial All Star. In his first full year with the club, he batted .297, followed by a season last year in which he batted .322 (he did miss 30 games last year due to injury). Well this year he has been almost injury free and is batting .313, while putting up outstanding power numbers. He hit 24 HRs and 25 HRs in his previous two seasons with 84 RBIs. Well this year, he already has 18 HRs with 55 RBIS and July is about to begin.

I got to witness this stud today in person against the two-time defending NL Champion Phillies. Not to mention Roy Halladay, one of the best pitchers in the game was on the mound for Phillies. Votto calmly smoked a solo shot today to get the Reds on the board in a game where Halladay seemed to be dominating. His shot kept the team alive in typical Votto fashion. For those of you with a short-term memory, he was also the guy who hit a 3 run bomb in the bottom of the 9th with 2 outs last night to send the game into extra innings. It was very fun getting to watch this guy play in person. He just has a beautiful feel for the game and makes it look so easy.

So Votto may struggle to make the All Star team with guys like Albert Pujols and Ryan Howard playing first base in the NL, but I would argue to say that this guy is having as good or better of a year than either of these guys. In addition, his team has a better record then both of these stud’s respective teams.

Just something to consider. But be aware America, Joey Votto is here to stay. He is a rising star and just what Cincinnati needs.